Method and apparatus for interfacing among mobile terminal, base station and core network in mobile telecommunications system

ABSTRACT

A method, apparatus and a computer readable record media storing instructions for executing the same method for interfacing among a hybrid type synchronous or asynchronous terminal to a core network in a next generation mobile telecommunications system. The hybrid type synchronous or asynchronous radio network determines the operating type of the core network when the core network has a connection thereto, and sends the determined core network operating type information and information related to the core network to the hybrid type synchronous or asynchronous terminal, thereby allowing the synchronous or asynchronous terminal to smoothly perform a data interfacing operation with the core network.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of application Ser. No.10/825,281, filed on Apr. 15, 2004, which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 09/564,941, filed on May 4, 2000, now issued asU.S. Pat. No. 6,741,868, both of which claim priority to and the benefitof Korean Patent Application No. 1999-31448, filed on Jul. 30, 1999,Korean Patent Application No. 1999-31591, filed on Jul. 31, 1999, andKorean Patent Application No. 1999-34344, filed on Aug. 19, 1999, whichare all hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fullyset forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a technique for interfacingamong a mobile terminal, a base station (BS) and a core network in anext-generation mobile telecommunications system, and more particularlyto a method, an apparatus and a computer readable record media storinginstructions for executing the same method for interfacing among ahybrid type mobile terminal, a hybrid type base transceiver station/basestation controller (BTS/BSC) and a core network in a next-generationtelecommunication system, e.g., an international mobiletelecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000) system and so on, in which a hybridtype synchronous or hybrid type asynchronous radio network determines anoperating type of the core network when the core network has aconnection thereto, and sends information about the determined corenetwork operating type and information related to the core network to ahybrid type mobile terminal.

In more detail, the present invention relates to a method, an apparatusand a computer readable record media storing instructions for executingthe same method for interfacing among a hybrid type mobile terminal, ahybrid type base transceiver station/base station controller (BTS/BSC)and a core network in a mobile telecommunications system, wherein ahybrid type synchronous radio network having a hybrid type BTS/BSCdetermines the operating type of the core network when the core networkhas a connection thereto, and sends the determined core networkoperating type and information related to the core network to the hybridtype synchronous terminal over a synchronous channel (Sync channel), andthe hybrid type synchronous terminal recognizes the operating type ofthe core network on the basis of the core network operating typeinformation (hereinafter, refers to “CN type”) and sets a protocolaccording to the information related to core network.

Further, the present invention relates to a method, an apparatus and acomputer readable record media for executing the same method forinterfacing an asynchronous terminal and a hybrid type asynchronousBTS/BSC with a core network in a mobile telecommunications system,wherein a hybrid type asynchronous radio network having a hybrid typeasynchronous BTS/BSC determines an operating type of the core networkwhen the core network has a connection thereto, and sends the determinedcore network operating type information and information related to thecore network to a hybrid type asynchronous terminal over a broadcastcontrol channel (BCCH), and the hybrid type asynchronous terminalrecognizes the core network on the basis of the core network operatingtype information and sets a protocol according to the informationrelated to the core network.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In a conventional synchronous mobile telecommunications system, asynchronous terminal is connected to a synchronous radio network (forexample, a CDMA-2000 radio network), and an ANSI-41 network is connectedto a core network.

In a conventional asynchronous mobile telecommunications system, anasynchronous terminal is connected to an asynchronous radio network (forexample, a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) terrestrialradio access network (UTRAN)), and a global system for mobilecommunications-mobile application part (GSM-MAP) network is connected toa core network.

FIG. 1 shows core network interface architectures of the conventionalsynchronous/asynchronous mobile telecommunication systems as mentionedabove.

FIG. 1A is a view showing the core network interface architecture of theconventional synchronous mobile telecommunications system. In thisdrawing, the reference numeral 11 denotes a synchronous terminal, 12denotes a synchronous radio network (i.e., a code division multipleaccess-2000 (CDMA-2000) radio network) which performs a data interfacingoperation with the synchronous terminal 11 and includes a synchronousbase transceiver station/base station controller (BTS/BSC), and 13denotes a synchronous core network which is connected to the synchronousradio network 12 and includes a synchronous mobile services switchingcenter (MSC) 14 and an ANSI-41 network 15.

In the above core network interface architecture of the conventionalsynchronous mobile telecommunications system, the synchronous terminal11 can be connected to only the synchronous radio network 12 as wellknown to one skilled in the art, which is in turn connected to thesynchronous core network 13, thereby allowing the synchronous terminal11 to be interfaced with only the synchronous core network 13.

FIG. 1B is a view showing the core network interface architecture of theconventional asynchronous mobile telecommunications system. In thisdrawing, the reference numeral 21 denotes an asynchronous terminal, 22denotes an asynchronous radio network (i.e., a UTRAN) which includes abase transceiver station (BTS) and a radio network controller (RNC), and23 denotes an asynchronous core network which includes an asynchronousmobile services switching center (MSC) 24 connected to the UTRAN 22 anda GSM-MAP network 25 connected to the asynchronous MSC 24.

In the above core network interface architecture of the conventionalasynchronous mobile telecommunications system, the asynchronous terminal21 is connected to the asynchronous radio network 22 (i.e., UTRAN) whichis in turn connected to the asynchronous core network 23, therebyallowing the asynchronous terminal 21 to perform a data interfacingoperation with the asynchronous core network 23.

FIG. 2 shows layered protocol structures of the conventionalsynchronous/asynchronous mobile telecommunication systems as mentionedabove.

FIG. 2A is a view showing the layered protocol structure of theconventional synchronous mobile telecommunications system. In thisdrawing, the reference numeral 30 denotes a synchronous terminal, 40 asynchronous radio network, and 50 a synchronous core network connectedto the synchronous radio network 40.

The synchronous terminal 30 comprises a layer 3 31, a layer 2 35 and alayer 1 36. The layer 3 31 includes a synchronous call control (CC)entity 32 for management of a call and a synchronous mobility management(MM) entity 33 for management of a mobility.

The layer 1 36 is a physical layer which offers data transport servicesto higher layers and transfers transport blocks over a radio interface.

The layer 2 35 is a data link layer which includes following sub layers,a medium access control (MAC) sub layer and a radio link control (RLC)sub layer. However, the sub layers are not shown in this drawing.

The MAC sub layer offers data transfer services on logical channels to ahigher layer (RLC sub layer) and on transport channels to a lower layer(the physical layer 3 6). The MAC sub layer is responsible for mappingof the logical channel onto the appropriate transports channel.

The RLC sub layer offers data transfer services on primitive to a higherlayer and on logical channels to a lower layer (MAC sub layer). Also,the RLC sub layer performs error correction, duplicate detection,ciphering and flow control of the data.

The layer 3 31 is a network layer which includes following sub layers, asynchronous radio resource (RR) sub layer, a synchronous call control(CC) entity 32 and a mobility management (MM) entity 33. In synchronoussystem, the synchronous RR sub layer is not apparently separated fromthe others in the layer 3 31.

The RR sub layer offers data transfer services on primitive to a lowerlayer (RLC sub layer) and handles a control plane signaling of the layer3 31 between a user equipment (UE) and a synchronous radio network. TheRR sub layer manages a radio resource. Also, the RR sub layerassigns/re-configures/releases the radio resource to UE/UTRAN.

The CC entity handles a call control signaling of layer 3 between theUEs and the synchronous radio network.

The MM entity handles a mobility management signaling of layer 3 betweenthe UEs and the synchronous radio network.

The layers 3 to 1 31, 35, and 36 in the synchronous terminal 30communicate with corresponding layers 41, 45, and 46 in the synchronousradio network 40.

The synchronous radio network 40 comprises a layer 3 41, a layer 2 45and a layer 1 46. The layers 3 to 1 in the synchronous radio network 40correspond respectively to those in the synchronous terminal 30.

The layers 3 to 1 41, 45, and 46 in the synchronous radio network 40communicate with corresponding layers 31, 35, 36, 51, 55, and 56 in thesynchronous terminal and the synchronous core network 50.

The synchronous core network 50 comprises a layer 3 51, a layer 2 55 anda layer 1 56. The layers 3 to 1 in the synchronous radio network 50correspond respectively to those in the synchronous terminal 30.

The layers 3 to 1 51, 55, and 56 in the synchronous core network 50communicate with corresponding layers 41, 45, and 46 in the synchronousradio network 40.

In the conventional synchronous terminal and radio network as thelayered protocol structure, the synchronous terminal 30 receives a Syncchannel message from the synchronous radio network 40 over a Syncchannel and acquires information necessary to its connection to thesynchronous core network 50, including information related to thesynchronous core network 50 and information about the synchronous radionetwork 40, from the received Sync channel message.

In other words, for interfacing with the synchronous ANSI-41 network viathe synchronous radio network, the synchronous terminal acquires systeminformation (i.e., information related to the radio network and corenetwork) through a system determination sub-state, a pilot channelacquisition sub-state, a Sync channel acquisition sub-state and a timingchanging sub-state after it is powered on.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure where the synchronousterminal acquires the system information through the four stationtransitions as mentioned above.

The first state, or the system determination sub-state, S1, is a statewhere the synchronous terminal selects a code division multiple access(CDMA) system with which it should communicate. Before being poweredoff, the synchronous terminal stores a CDMA channel number that it usesat the present time, a CDMA area list, a system identification (SID)list, a network identification (NID) list and other information in itsmemory. Thereafter, upon being powered on, the synchronous terminalselects a CDMA system with which it can communicate on the basis of theabove information stored in its memory and a CDMA system selectionalgorithm, which is provided from a terminal manufacturer. Afterselecting the CDMA system, the synchronous terminal shifts to the nextstate, or the pilot channel acquisition sub-state, S2 to acquire apilot.

The pilot channel acquisition sub-state S2 is a state where thesynchronous terminal obtains a pilot channel and thus selects a basetransceiver station. After selecting the CDMA system, the synchronousterminal acquires a pilot with the same CDMA channel number, or CDMAfrequency number, as that corresponding to the selected CDMA system.After acquiring the pilot, the synchronous terminal shifts to the nextstate, or the Sync channel acquisition sub-state, S3.

The Sync channel acquisition sub-state S3 is a state where thesynchronous terminal acquires information of a system selected throughthe above pilot channel acquisition and timing information of theselected system. The synchronous terminal receives a Sync channelmessage from the base transceiver station selected at the above pilotchannel acquisition sub-state over a Sync channel and obtains theinformation of the selected system and the system timing informationfrom the received Sync channel message. Such a Sync channel message isproduced by the system and then sent to the synchronous terminal overthe Sync channel.

Information elements as shown in FIG. 7A are written in the Sync channelmessage received by the synchronous terminal, as follows:

a) Protocol Revision Level: 8 bits,

b) Minimum Protocol Revision Level: 8 bits,

c) System Identification: 15 bits,

d) Network Identification: 16 bits,

e) Pilot Pseudo. Noise (PN) sequence offset index: 9 bits,

f) Long Code State: 42 bits,

g) System Time: 36 bits,

h) The number of Leap seconds that have occurred since the start ofSystem Time: 8 bits,

i) Offset of local time from System Time: 6 bits,

j) Daylight savings time indicator: 1 bit,

k) Paging Channel Data Rate: 2 bits,

l) Frequency assignment: 11 bits,

m) Extended frequency assignment: 11 bits, and

n) Orthogonal transmit diversity mode: 2 bits.

The synchronous terminal stores the following information elements fromthe received Sync channel message in its memory:

a) Protocol Revision Level: 8 bits,

b) Minimum Protocol Revision Level: 8 bits,

c) System Identification: 15 bits,

d) Network Identification: 16 bits,

e) Pilot PN sequence offset index: 9 bits,

f) Long Code State: 42 bits,

g) System Time: 36 bits,

h) Paging Channel Data Rate: 2 bits, and

i) Orthogonal transmit diversity mode: 2 bits.

After completing the above procedure, the synchronous terminal shifts tothe synchronization sub-state S4.

The synchronization sub-state S4 is a state where the synchronousterminal synchronizes its timing with that of the selected CDMA system.The synchronous terminal synchronizes its timing with that of theselected CDMA system on the basis of the information elements in theSync channel message, received at the above Sync channel acquisitionsub-state and stored in its memory. After being timed with the selected.CDMA system, the synchronous terminal enters a standby mode S5.

At the standby mode S5, the synchronous terminal monitors a pagingchannel of the selected system. Namely, at the standby mode S5, thesynchronous terminal receives messages (a system parameter message, anaccess channel message, a registration request message, etc.) sent overthe paging channel.

FIG. 2B is a view showing the layered protocol structure of theconventional asynchronous mobile telecommunications system. In thisdrawing, the reference numeral 60 denotes an asynchronous terminal, 70 aUTRAN, and 80 an asynchronous core network.

The asynchronous terminal 60 comprises a layer 3 61, a layer 2 65 and alayer 1 66. In particular, the layer 3 61 includes a non-access stratum(NAS) part and an access stratum (AS) part. The NAS part includes anasynchronous call control (CC) part 62 for management of a call and anasynchronous mobility management (MM) part 63 for management of amobility. The AS part includes an asynchronous radio resource control(RRC) part. In the asynchronous system, the asynchronous RRC sub layeris apparently separated from the NAS part. Functions of the asynchronousRRC sub layer are the same as those of the synchronous RR sub layer.

The UTRAN 70 comprises a layer 3 71, a layer 2 73 and a layer 1 74. Thelayer 3 71 of the UTRAN 70 has no NAS part having asynchronous CC partand asynchronous MM part. The layers 3 to 1 of the UTRAN 70 areconnected and correspond respectively to those in the asynchronousterminal 60 and those in the asynchronous core network 80. However,since the UTRAN 70 does not have the NAS part, i.e., the asynchronous CCpart and the asynchronous MM part, the NAS parts of the asynchronousterminal 60 and the asynchronous core network 80 are coupled to eachother not through the UTRAN 70.

The asynchronous core network 80 comprises a layer 3 having a NAS part81 connected to that of the asynchronous terminal 60 and a AS part, alayer 2 85 and a layer 1 86 connected respectively to those in the UTRAN70. The NAS part comprises an asynchronous CC part 82 for management ofa call and an asynchronous MM part 83 for management of a mobility.Functions of the layer 3 to 1 of the asynchronous system are similarwith those of the synchronous system except for an operating type.Therefore, detailed description of the layer 3 to 1 will be skipped.

The more detailed descriptions about layered protocol structures arewell taught in 3.sup.rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), TechnicalSpecification Group (TSG)—Radio Access Network (RAN): 3G TS25.301 (RadioInterface Protocol Architecture), 3G TS25.302 (Services provided by thephysical layer), 3G TS25.321 (MAC Protocol Specification), 3G TS25.322(RLC Protocol Specification) and 3G TS25.331 (RRC ProtocolSpecification) in detail.

In the conventional asynchronous mobile terminal and radio networkhaving the layered protocol structure, the asynchronous terminal 60receives a system information message from the UTRAN 70 over a broadcastcontrol channel (BCCH) and acquires information necessary to itsconnection to the asynchronous core network 80, including informationrelated to the asynchronous core network 80 and information about theUTRAN 70, from the received system information message. FIG. 7B shows aformat of the system information message received by the asynchronousterminal 60.

The system information message, sent from the UTRAN 70 to theasynchronous terminal 60, contains the following information elements,which are applied in common to all asynchronous terminals connected tothe UTRAN of the asynchronous communication system:

1) core network (CN) information,

2) UTRAN mobility information, and

3) other information.

The asynchronous terminal analyzes the CN information elements among theabove information elements and acquires public land mobile network(PLMN) identity information, CN domain identity information andnon-access stratum (NAS) system information as a result of the analysis.

The PLMN identity information is company identification information andincludes a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code (MNC).The CN domain identity information is used to determine whether acurrently connected core network is of a circuit switching type or apacket switching type. The NAS system information is information desiredin an asynchronous call control (CC) part for management of a call andan asynchronous mobility management (MM) part for management of amobility.

IMT-2000 systems are the third generation systems which aim to unify thevarious mobile communication networks and services into one to providemany mobile communication services. The systems can provide multimediaservices under multi-environments through various air-interfaces andhigh capacity. Also, in the aspect of services, the systems can providemultimedia services of speech, image and data up to the rate of 2 Mbpsand an international roaming. And, in the aspect of network, the systemsare total systems which are based on ATM networks and combine fixed andwireless systems.

IMT-2000 system requires new system concept, high-level adaptationtechnology, and novel network technology, as well all conventionaltechnologies which were already adopted in the second digital cellularsystem.

As described above, in the next-generation mobile telecommunicationsystem such as the IMT-2000 system, either the GSM-MAP network used inthe above conventional asynchronous mobile telecommunications system orthe ANSI-41 network used in the above conventional synchronous mobiletelecommunications system should be employed as a core network in orderto perform an international roaming in a synchronous or asynchronousmobile telecommunications system of an IMT-2000 system.

According to network deployment scenarios, the IMT-2000 system can havethe following four interface architectures; first: synchronousterminal—synchronous radio network—synchronous ANSI-41 network, second:synchronous terminal—synchronous radio network—asynchronous GSM-MAPnetwork, third: asynchronous terminal—asynchronous radionetwork—synchronous ANSI-41 network and fourth: asynchronousterminal—asynchronous radio network—asynchronous GSM-MAP network.

The IMT-2000 system has the four interface architectures as mentionedabove. Therefore, the hybrid type synchronous terminal must recognize anoperating type of a core network currently connected thereto, and thehybrid type synchronous radio network should provide core networkoperating type information and others information to the hybrid typesynchronous terminal. The core network operating type information andthe others information must be contained in the Sync channel messagethat the synchronous terminal, after being powered on, receives throughthe Sync channel in the above-mentioned conventional interfacing manner.

Similarly, the hybrid type asynchronous terminal must recognize anoperating type of a core network currently connected thereto, and thehybrid type asynchronous radio network should provide the core networkoperating type information and others information to the hybrid typeasynchronous terminal. The core network operating type information andthe others information must be contained in the system informationmessage transmitted to the asynchronous terminal, after being poweredon, so that the asynchronous terminal receives through the broadcastcontrol channel (BCCH) in the above-mentioned conventional interfacingmanner.

However, as shown in FIG. 7A, the Sync channel message used in theconventional synchronous terminal and radio network contain onlyinformation (information regarding a synchronous core network) definedat the Sync channel acquisition sub-state of the synchronous terminal,with neither core network operating type information nor informationabout an asynchronous core network.

Because there is no core network operating type information in the Syncchannel message, the synchronous terminal cannot determine which one ofthe CC/MM protocol for the ANSI-41 core network or the CC/MM protocolfor the GSM-MAP core network to use at the layer 3 in its protocol stackstructure, and be thus interfaced with any asynchronous core network. Ofcourse, because the synchronous terminal is set to the synchronous CC/MMprotocol in the conventional synchronous terminal and radio network,they have no particular problem in interfacing to a core networkcurrently connected thereto, so far as the connected core network is asynchronous core network.

Also, as shown in FIG. 7B, the system information message used in theconventional asynchronous terminal and radio network contain onlyinformation (information regarding an asynchronous core network) definedat the BCCH acquisition sub-state of the asynchronous terminal, withneither core network operating type information nor information about asynchronous core network.

Because there is no core network operating type information in thesystem information message, the asynchronous terminal cannot determinewhich one of the CC/MM protocol for the ANSI-41 core network or theCC/MM protocol for the GSM-MAP core network to use at the layer 3 in itsprotocol stack structure, and be thus interfaced with any synchronouscore network. Of course, because the asynchronous terminal is set to theasynchronous CC/MM protocol in the conventional asynchronous terminaland radio network, they has no particular problem in interfacing with acore network currently connected thereto, so far as the connected corenetwork is an asynchronous core network.

In other words, the conventional synchronous terminal and radio networkhave a disadvantage in that the synchronous terminal cannot beinterfaced with any other networks than a synchronous core networkconnected thereto because it cannot recognize core network operatingtype information and core network related information.

Similarly, the conventional asynchronous terminal and radio network havea disadvantage in that the asynchronous terminal cannot be interfacedwith any other networks than an asynchronous core network because theycannot recognize core network operating type information and corenetwork related information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the aboveproblems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide amethod, an apparatus and a computer readable record media storinginstructions for executing the same method for interfacing among asynchronous or asynchronous terminal, a synchronous or asynchronousradio network and a synchronous or asynchronous core network in anext-generation mobile telecommunications system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method forinterfacing a synchronous terminal with a synchronous or asynchronouscore network, wherein a synchronous radio network determines theoperating type of the core network when the core network has aconnection thereto, and sends the determined core network operating typeinformation and information related to the core network to thesynchronous terminal over a Sync channel, and the synchronous terminalrecognizes the core network on the basis of the core network operatingtype information and sets a protocol according to the core networkrelated information, so as to smoothly perform a message interfacingoperation with the core network.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a methodfor interfacing an asynchronous terminal to a synchronous orasynchronous core network, wherein an asynchronous radio networkdetermines the operating type of the core network when the core networkhas a connection thereto, and sends the determined core networkoperating type information and information related to the core networkto the asynchronous terminal over a BCCH, and the asynchronous terminalrecognizes the core network on the basis of the core network operatingtype information and sets a protocol according to the core networkrelated information, so as to smoothly perform a message interfacingoperation with the core network.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method for interfacing among a terminal, a radio network anda core network connected to the radio network in a mobiletelecommunication system, wherein the radio network has a base station(BS) and each of the terminal and the radio network has a hybridoperating type being possible to be set as either a synchronousoperating type or an asynchronous operating type, said method comprisingthe steps of: a) at the BS, determining an operating type of the corenetwork and generating core network operating type informationrepresenting the operating type of the core network; b) at the BS,setting an operating type of the BS to the synchronous operating type orthe asynchronous operating type on the basis of the core networkoperating type information; c) at the BS, providing the terminal withthe core network operating type information and information related tothe core network through a predetermined channel in a form of a message;d) extracting, at the terminal, the core network operating typeinformation from a received message, the core network operating typeinformation being inserted into a predetermined location of the message;e) recognizing, at the terminal, the operating type of the core networkon the basis of the extracted core network operating type information;and f) at the terminal, setting an operating type of the terminal to thesynchronous operating type or the asynchronous operating type on thebasis of the recognized operating type of the core network.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an apparatus for interfacing among a terminal, a radio networkand a core network connected to the radio network in a mobiletelecommunication system, wherein the radio network has a base station(BS) and each of the terminal and the radio network has a hybridoperating type being possible to be set as either a synchronousoperating type or an asynchronous operating type, said apparatuscomprising: determination means, contained in the BS, for determining anoperating type of the core network; first setting means, employed in theBS, for setting an operating type of the BS to the synchronous operatingtype or the asynchronous operating type on the basis of the determinedoperating type of the core network; message means, included in the BS,for providing the terminal with core network operating type informationrepresenting the determined operating type of the core network andinformation related to the core network through a predetermined channel;receiver means, provided in the terminal, for receiving a channelmessage having the core network operating type information and theinformation related to the core network; extraction means, contained inthe terminal, for extracting the core network operating type informationinserted into a predetermined location of the channel message; detectionmeans, contained in the terminal, for recognizing the operating type ofthe core network on the basis of the extracted core network operatingtype information; and second setting means, contained in the terminal,for setting an operating type of the terminal to the synchronousoperating type or the asynchronous operating type on the basis of therecognized operating type of the core network.

In accordance with a. further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method for interfacing among a terminal, a radio network anda core network connected to the radio network in a mobiletelecommunication system, wherein the radio network has a base station(BS) and the terminal has a hybrid operating type being possible to beset as either a synchronous operating type or an asynchronous operatingtype, the method comprising the steps of: a) storing core networkoperating type information and information related to the core networkon a storage device; b) reading the core network operating typeinformation and information related to the core network stored on thestorage device during a time period of initialization of the BS; c)providing the terminal with the core network operating type informationand information related to the core network as a message through apredetermined channel; d) extracting, at the terminal, the core networkoperating type information from a received message, the core networkoperating type information being inserted into a predetermined locationof the received message; e) recognizing, at the terminal, the operatingtype of the core network on the basis of the extracted core networkoperating type information; and f) setting an operating type of theterminal to the synchronous operating type or the asynchronous operatingtype on the basis of the recognized operating type of the core network.

In accordance with further another aspect of the present invention,there is provided an apparatus for interfacing among a terminal, a radionetwork and a core network connected to the radio network in a mobiletelecommunication system, wherein the radio network has a base station(BS) and the terminal has a hybrid operating type being possible to beset as either a synchronous operating type or an asynchronous operatingtype, comprising: a storage device, contained in the BS, for storingcore network operating type information representing operating type ofthe core network and information related to the core network; firstextraction means, contained in the BS, for reading the core networkoperating type information and information related to the core networkstored in the storage device during a time period of initialization ofthe BS; message means, contained in the BS, for providing the terminalwith the core network operating type information and information relatedto the core network as a message through a predetermined channel; secondextraction means, contained in the terminal, for extracting the corenetwork operating type information from a received message, the corenetwork operating type information being inserted into a predeterminedlocation of the received message; detection means, contained in theterminal, for recognizing the operating type of the core network on thebasis of the extracted core network operating type information; andsetting means, contained in the terminal, for setting an operating typeof the terminal to the synchronous operating type or the asynchronousoperating type on the basis of the recognized operating type of the corenetwork.

In accordance with a further another aspect of the present invention,there is provided a method for interfacing between a radio network and acore network connected to the radio network in a mobiletelecommunication system, wherein the radio network has a base station(BS) having a hybrid operating type being possible to be set as either asynchronous operating type or an asynchronous operating type, saidmethod comprising the steps of: a) determining an operating type of thecore network; b) setting an operating type of the BS to the synchronousoperating type or the asynchronous operating type on the basis of corenetwork operating type information representing the determined operatingtype of the core network; and c) providing the terminal with the corenetwork operating type information and information related to the corenetwork through a predetermined channel in a form of a message.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an apparatus for interfacing between a radio network and a corenetwork connected to the radio network in a mobile telecommunicationsystem, wherein the radio network has a base station (BS) having ahybrid operating type being possible to be set as either a synchronousoperating type or an asynchronous operating type, said apparatuscomprising: determination means for determining an operating. type ofthe core network; setting means for setting an operating type of the BSto the synchronous operating type or the asynchronous operating type onthe basis of core network operating type information representing thedetermined operating type of the core network; and message means forproviding the terminal with the core network operating type informationand information related to the core network through a predeterminedchannel in a form of a message.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a computer readable media storing a program instructions, theprogram instructions disposed on a computer to perform a method forinterfacing between a radio network and a core network connected to theradio network in a mobile telecommunication system, wherein the radionetwork has a base station (BS) having a hybrid operating type beingpossible to be set as either a synchronous operating type or anasynchronous operating type, said method comprising the steps of: a)determining an operating type of the core network; b) setting anoperating type of the BS to the synchronous operating type or theasynchronous operating type on the basis of core network operating typeinformation representing the determined operating type of the corenetwork; and c) providing the terminal with the core network operatingtype information and information related to the core network through apredetermined channel in a form of a message.

In accordance with another. aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method for interfacing among a terminal, a radio network anda core network connected to the radio network in a mobiletelecommunication system, wherein the radio network has a base station(BS) and the terminal has a hybrid operating type being possible to beset as either a synchronous operating type or an asynchronous operatingtype, the method comprising the steps of: a) storing core networkoperating type information representing operating type of the corenetwork and information related to the core network on a storage device;b) reading the core network operating type information and informationrelated to the core network stored on the storage device during a timeperiod of initialization of the BS; and c) periodically providing theterminal with the core network operating type information andinformation related to the core network as a message through apredetermined channel.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, thereis provided an apparatus for interfacing among a terminal, a radionetwork and a core network connected to the radio network in a mobile,telecommunication system, wherein the radio network has a base station(BS) and the terminal has a hybrid operating type being possible to beset as either a synchronous operating type or an asynchronous operatingtype, comprising: a storage device, contained in the BS, for storingcore network operating type information representing operating type ofthe core network and information related to the core network; extractionmeans, contained in the BS, for reading the core network operating typeinformation and information related to the core network stored in thestorage device during a time period of initialization of the BS; andmessage means, contained in the BS, for periodically providing theterminal with the core network operating type information andinformation related to the core network as a message through apredetermined channel.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a computer readable media storing a program instructions,the program instructions disposed on a computer to perform a method forinterfacing among a terminal, a radio network and a core networkconnected to the radio network in a mobile telecommunication system,wherein the radio network has a base station (BS) and the terminal has ahybrid operating type being possible to be set as either a synchronousoperating type or an asynchronous operating type, the method comprisingthe steps of: a) storing core network operating type informationrepresenting operating type of the core network and information relatedto the core network on a storage device; b) reading the core networkoperating type information and information related to the core networkstored on the storage device during a time period of initialization ofthe BS; and c) periodically providing the terminal with the core networkoperating type information and information related to the core networkas a message through a predetermined channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will, be more clearly understood from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows core network interface architectures of conventionalsynchronous/asynchronous mobile telecommunications systems, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a view showing a core network interface architecture of theconventional synchronous mobile telecommunications system; and

FIG. 1B is a view showing a core network interface architecture of theconventional asynchronous mobile telecommunications system;

FIG. 2 shows layered protocol structures of the conventionalsynchronous/asynchronous mobile telecommunications systems, wherein:

FIG. 2A is a view showing a layered protocol structure of theconventional synchronous mobile telecommunications system; and

FIG. 2B is a view showing a layered protocol structure of theconventional asynchronous mobile telecommunications system;

FIG. 3 is a view showing a protocol stack structure for interfacing aterminal and a base station with a core network in a next-generationmobile telecommunications system;

FIG. 4 shows core network interface architectures of the next-generationmobile telecommunications system, wherein:

FIG. 4A is a view showing a synchronous ANSI-41 core network interfacearchitecture of hybrid type synchronous mobile terminal and radionetwork;

FIG. 4B is a view showing an asynchronous GSM-MAP core network interfacearchitecture of hybrid type synchronous mobile terminal and radionetwork;

FIG. 4C is a view showing an asynchronous GSM-MAP core network interfacearchitecture of hybrid type asynchronous mobile terminal and radionetwork; and

FIG. 4D is a view showing a synchronous ANSI-41 core network interfacearchitecture of hybrid type asynchronous mobile terminal and radionetwork;

FIG. 5 shows layered protocol structures of the next-generation mobiletelecommunications system, wherein:

FIG. 5A is a view showing layered protocol structures of hybrid typesynchronous mobile terminal and radio network and the synchronousANSI-41 core network;

FIG. 5B is a view showing layered protocol structures of hybrid typesynchronous mobile. terminal and radio network and the asynchronousGSM-MAP core network;

FIG. 5C is a view showing layered protocol structures of hybrid typeasynchronous mobile terminal. and radio network and the synchronousANSI-41 core network; and

FIG. 5D is a view showing layered protocol structures of hybrid typeasynchronous mobile terminal and radio network and the asynchronousGSM-MAP core network;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating state transitions of a synchronousterminal in the conventional synchronous mobile telecommunicationssystem;

FIG. 7 shows format of a message received by the terminal from theconventional synchronous radio network, wherein:

FIG. 7A is a view showing a format of a Sync channel message received bythe synchronous terminal from the conventional synchronous radionetwork;

FIG. 7B is a view showing a format of a system information messagereceived by an asynchronous terminal from the conventional asynchronousradio network;

FIG. 8A is a block diagram of a base station controller for interfacingamong a terminal, a radio network and a core network;

FIG. 8B is a block diagram of a terminal controller for interfacingamong a terminal, a radio network and a core network;

FIG. 9 shows a Sync channel message received by a hybrid typesynchronous terminal from in a hybrid type synchronous radio network inaccordance with the present invention, wherein:

FIG. 9A is a view showing a format of the Sync channel message when acore network connected to a hybrid type synchronous radio network is aGSM-MAP network; and

FIG. 9B is a view showing a format of the Sync channel message when thecore network connected to the hybrid type synchronous radio network isan ANSI-41 network;

FIG. 10 shows a master information block in a system information messagereceived by a hybrid type asynchronous terminal from a hybrid typeasynchronous radio network in accordance with the present invention,wherein:

FIGS. 10A and 10B are views showing formats of the master informationblock when a core network connected to a hybrid type asynchronous radionetwork, or a UTRAN, is the GSM-MAP network; and

FIGS. 10C and 10D are views showing formats of the master informationblock when the core network connected to the UTRAN is the ANSI-41network;

FIG. 11 shows flow charts illustrating a method for interfacing a hybridtype synchronous terminal with a core network in accordance with thepresent invention, wherein:

FIG. 11A is a flowchart illustrating a procedure where a hybrid typesynchronous radio network sends core network operating type informationand information related to core network to the hybrid type synchronousterminal; and

FIG. 11B is a flowchart illustrating a procedure where the hybrid typesynchronous terminal receives the core network operating typeinformation and the information related to core network from the hybridtype synchronous radio network and then is interfaced with the corenetwork on the basis of the received information; and

FIG. 12 shows flow charts illustrating a method for interfacing a hybridtype asynchronous terminal to a core network in accordance with thepresent invention, wherein:

FIG. 12A is a flowchart illustrating a procedure where a hybrid typeasynchronous radio network sends core network operating type informationand information related to core network to the hybrid type asynchronousterminal; and

FIG. 12B is a flowchart illustrating a procedure where the hybrid typeasynchronous terminal receives the core network operating typeinformation and the information related to core network from the hybridtype asynchronous radio network and then is interfaced with the corenetwork on the basis of the received information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

In the specification, a radio network means a network including aplurality of base transceiver stations (BTS) and at least a base stationcontroller for controlling the plurality of BTSs in a synchronous or anasynchronous mobile telecommunication system.

Functions for controlling the base transceiver station can bedistributively performed in the plurality of the base transceiverstations, or can be concentrically performed in the base stationcontroller. Therefore, in this specification, a terminology “basestation,” which includes the base transceiver station and the basestation controller, is used.

Referring to FIG. 3, it is illustrated a protocol stack structure forinterfacing a mobile terminal, a base transceiver station/base stationcontroller (BTS/BSC) and a core network having the same or a differentoperating type with/from the mobile terminal in a next-generation mobiletelecommunications system such as the IMT-2000 system.

FIG. 4 shows core network interface architectures of the next-generationmobile telecommunications system such as the IMT-2000 system.

FIG. 4A is a view showing a synchronous ANSI-41 core network interfacearchitecture of a hybrid type synchronous radio network. In thisdrawing, the reference numeral 100 denotes a hybrid type synchronousterminal, 110 a hybrid type synchronous radio network, and 120 asynchronous core network which includes an ANSI-41 network.

FIG. 4B is a view showing an asynchronous GSM-MAP core network interfacearchitecture of the hybrid type synchronous radio network. In thisdrawing, the reference numeral 100 denotes a hybrid type synchronousterminal, 110 a hybrid type synchronous radio network, and 130 anasynchronous core network which includes a GSM-MAP network.

FIG. 4C is a view showing an asynchronous GSM-MAP core network interfacearchitecture of a hybrid type asynchronous radio network. In thisdrawing, the reference numeral 210 denotes a hybrid type asynchronousterminal, 220 denotes a hybrid type UTRAN which is a hybrid typeasynchronous radio network, and 240 denotes a core network which isconnected to the hybrid type UTRAN 220 and includes an asynchronousGSM-MAP network.

FIG. 4D is a view showing a synchronous ANSI-41 core network interfacearchitecture of the hybrid type asynchronous radio network. In thisdrawing, the reference numeral 210 denotes a hybrid type asynchronousterminal, 220 denotes a hybrid type UTRAN which is a hybrid typeasynchronous radio network, and 230 denotes a core network which isconnected to the hybrid type UTRAN 220 and includes a synchronousANSI-41 network.

In order to be operable adaptively to the above four interfacearchitectures, each of the hybrid type synchronous and asynchronousterminals in the next-generation mobile telecommunications system hasboth asynchronous CC and MM protocol entities serving for the GSM-MAPcore network and synchronous CC and MM protocol entities serving for theANSI-41 core network at the layer 3 in the protocol stack structure,which is a different from each of the conventional synchronous andasynchronous terminals.

FIG. 5 shows layered protocol structures of the next-generation mobiletelecommunications system.

FIG. 5A is a view showing the layered protocol structure of a hybridtype synchronous terminal, a hybrid type synchronous radio network andthe synchronous ANSI-41 core network. In this drawing, the referencenumeral 100 denotes a hybrid type synchronous terminal, 110 denotes ahybrid type synchronous radio network, and 120 denotes an ANSI-41 corenetwork which is a synchronous core network connected to the hybrid typesynchronous radio network 110.

The hybrid type synchronous terminal 100 comprises a layer 3 101, alayer 2 107 and a layer 1 108. The layer 3 101 comprises a synchronousCC part 102, a synchronous MM part 103, an asynchronous CC part 104, anasynchronous MM part 105 and a synchronous radio resource part 106. Thehybrid type synchronous terminal 100 selectively makes a CC/MM protocolactive according to a core network operating type. Information foridentifying the core network operating type is given to the hybrid typesynchronous terminal 100.

For example, if the hybrid type synchronous terminal 100 is currentlyconnected to the ANSI-41 core network 120, the layer 3 101 thereinactivates protocols of the synchronous CC part 102 and synchronous MMpart 103 to perform a message interfacing operation with the ANSI-41core network 120.

The hybrid type synchronous radio network 110 comprises a layer 3 111, alayer 2 115 and a layer 1 116, which activate their protocolscorresponding respectively to those in the hybrid type synchronousterminal 100 and those in the ANSI-41 core network 120 to transmit andreceive messages.

The ANSI-41 core network 120 comprises a layer 3 121, a layer 2 125 anda layer 1 126. The layer 3 121 comprises a synchronous CC part 122, asynchronous MM part 123 and a synchronous RR part 124.

On the other hand, a hybrid type synchronous mobile terminal, a hybridtype synchronous radio network and an asynchronous core network havelayered protocol structures as shown in FIG. 5B when the core networkconnected thereto is of an asynchronous operating type as shown in FIG.4B.

In FIG. 5B, the reference numeral 100 denotes a hybrid type synchronousterminal, 110 denotes a hybrid type synchronous radio network, and 130denotes a GSM-MAP core network which is an asynchronous core network.

The hybrid type synchronous terminal 100 comprises a layer 3 101 havinga NAS part and an AS part, a layer 2 107 and a layer 1 108. The NAS partincludes a synchronous CC part 102, a synchronous MM part 103, anasynchronous CC part 104 and an asynchronous MM part 105. The AS partincludes a synchronous RR part 106. The hybrid type synchronous terminal100 selectively makes a CC/MM protocol active according to a corenetwork operating type.

For example, if the hybrid type synchronous terminal 100 is currentlyconnected to the GSM-MAP core network 130, the layer 3 101 thereinactivates protocols of the asynchronous CC part 104 and asynchronous MMpart 105 to perform a message interfacing operation with the GSM-MAPcore network 130.

The hybrid type synchronous radio network 110 comprises a layer 3 111having a NAS part and an AS part, a layer 2 115 and a layer 1 116, whichactivate their protocols corresponding respectively to those in thehybrid type synchronous terminal 100 and those in the GSM-MAP corenetwork 130 to transmit and receive messages.

The GSM-MAP core network 130 comprises a layer 3 131 having a NAS partand an AS part, a layer 2 135 and a layer 1 136. The NAS part includesan asynchronous CC part 132 and an asynchronous MM part 133. The AS partincludes an asynchronous RRC part 134.

The layers 3 to 1 of the hybrid type synchronous radio network 110 areconnected and correspond respectively to those in the hybrid typesynchronous terminal 100 and those in the asynchronous core network.130. However, the NAS parts of the hybrid type asynchronous terminal 100and the asynchronous core network 130 are coupled to each other notthrough the hybrid type synchronous radio network 110.

FIG. 5C is a view showing layered protocol structures of a hybrid typeasynchronous mobile terminal, a hybrid type asynchronous radio networkand a synchronous ANSI-41 core network. In this drawing, the referencenumeral 210 denotes a hybrid type asynchronous terminal, 220 denotes ahybrid type UTRAN which is a hybrid type asynchronous radio network, and230 denotes an ANSI-41 core network connected to the hybrid type UTRAN220.

The hybrid type asynchronous terminal 210 comprises a layer 3 211, alayer 2 217 and a layer 1 218. The layer 3 includes a synchronous CCpart 212, a synchronous MM part 213, an asynchronous CC part 214, anasynchronous MM part 215 and asynchronous RRC part 216 and selectivelyactivates a synchronous CC/MM protocol or an asynchronous CC/MMprotocol.

For example, if the hybrid type asynchronous terminal 210 is currentlyconnected to the ANSI-41 core network 230, the layer 3 therein activatesa protocol between the synchronous CC part 212 and synchronous MM part213 to perform a message interfacing operation with the ANSI-41 corenetwork 230.

FIG. 5D is a view showing layered protocol structures of a hybrid typeasynchronous mobile terminal, a hybrid type asynchronous radio network,and an asynchronous GSM-MAP core network. In this drawing, the referencenumeral 210 denotes a hybrid type asynchronous terminal, 220 denoteshybrid type UTRAN which is a hybrid type asynchronous radio network, and240 denotes an asynchronous GSM-MAP core network connected to the hybridtype UTRAN 220.

The hybrid type asynchronous terminal 210 comprises a layer 3 211 havinga NAS part and an AS part, a layer 2 217 and a layer 1 218. The NAS partincludes a synchronous CC part 212, a synchronous MM part 213, anasynchronous CC part 214 and an asynchronous MM part 215 and selectivelyactivates a synchronous CC/MM protocol or an asynchronous CC/MMprotocol. The AS part includes an asynchronous RRC part 216.

The hybrid type asynchronous radio network 220 comprises a layer 3 221having a NAS part and an AS part, a layer 2 225 and a layer 1 226, whichactivate their protocols corresponding respectively to those in thehybrid type asynchronous terminal 210 and those in the GSM-MAP corenetwork 240 to transmit and receive messages.

The GSM-MAP core network 240 comprises a layer 3 241 having a NAS partand an AS part, a layer 2 245 and a layer 1 246. The NAS part includesan asynchronous CC part 242 and an asynchronous MM part 243. The. ASpart includes an asynchronous RRC part 244.

For example, if the hybrid type asynchronous terminal 210 is currentlyconnected to the GSM-MAP core network 240, the NAS part thereinactivates protocols of the asynchronous CC part 214 and asynchronous MMpart 215 to perform a message interfacing operation with the GSM-MAPcore network 240.

The layers 3 to 1 of the hybrid type asynchronous radio network 220 areconnected and correspond respectively to those in the hybrid typeasynchronous terminal 210 and those in the asynchronous core network240. However, the NAS parts of the hybrid type asynchronous terminal 210and the asynchronous core network 240 are coupled to each other notthrough the hybrid type asynchronous radio network 220.

Embodiment 1

In a method for interfacing a hybrid type synchronous terminal to asynchronous core network, the hybrid type synchronous mobile terminaland radio work have core network interface architectures as describedabove with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B and the associated layeredprotocol structures as described above with reference to FIGS. 5A and5B.

FIG. 8A is a block diagram of a BS controller for interfacing the BSwith a core network having the same or a different operating typewith/from the BS.

The base station (BS) includes a controller 811 which performs controlfunctions of the BS, for example, information transmission, callprocessing, etc.

The BS controller provides a terminal set synchronous or asynchronouswith a determined core network operating type information and aninformation related to the core network to be connected, therebyallowing the terminal to be interfaced with the core network having thesame or a different operating type with/from the terminal.

A management/maintenance block 813 determines an operating type of thecore network to be connected on the basis of information stored on theBS controller or on the basis of message exchanged with the connectedcore network.

The stored information can be stored on a read only memory (ROM) in thecontroller 811, or on a dip switch to which a central processing unit(CPU) of the controller 811 is connected. The message exchanged with thecore network is preferably a management/maintenance message or asignaling message.

A call processing block 815 provides the terminal with the core networkoperating type information and the information related to the corenetwork through a channel. In a synchronous operating type, the corenetwork operating type information and the information related to thecore network are inserted into a core network operating type informationfield of a synchronous channel and transmitted to the terminal. The corenetwork operating type information transmitted to the terminal isGSM-MAP information representing an asynchronous core network, orANSI-41 information representing a synchronous core network.

FIG. 8B is a block diagram of a terminal controller for interfacing theterminal with a core network, wherein the core network is of asynchronous or an asynchronous type.

The terminal controller comprises a controlling unit 821, a callprocessing unit 823, and a management/maintenance unit 825.

The call processing unit 823 includes a receiving block which receiveschannel message having core network operating type information, and adetermining block which extracts the core network operating typeinformation inserted into a pre-selected location of the channel messageand determines whether the core network is of a synchronous or anasynchronous type. The management/maintenance unit 825 includes asetting block which sets the terminal as an operating type correspondingto the core network operating type information. The controlling unit 821performs general control functions of the terminal, for example, callprocessing function, management/maintenance function, etc. The terminalcontroller further includes a memory extracting and storing informationrelated to the core network from the channel message. Here, theinformation related to the core network corresponds to the core networkoperating type information.

As described above, the method and the apparatus in accordance with thepresent invention adaptively sets a protocol and interfaces among theterminal, the base station and the core network on the basis of anoperating type of the core network. Preferred formats of messagescommunicated between the terminal and the base station in order toperform setting and interfacing functions are illustrated in FIGS. 9Aand 9B.

FIG. 9A shows a format of a synchronous channel message received by asynchronous terminal when a core network connected to the radio networkis GSM-MAP. FIG. 9B shows a format of a synchronous channel messagereceived by a synchronous terminal when a core network connected to theradio network is ANSI-41 core network.

If the core network operating type information is ANSI-41 informationrepresenting a synchronous core network, the information related to corenetwork includes information P_REV representing a revision level of asystem protocol, information M_P_REV representing a minimum revisionlevel, system identification SID and network identification NID. If thecore network operating type information is GSM-MAP informationrepresenting an asynchronous core network, the information related tocore network includes public land mobile network identity PLMN_ID, corenetwork domain identity and non-access stratum (NAS) system information.The public land mobile network (PLMN) identity PLMN_ID includes mobilecountry code (MCC) and mobile network code (MNC). The terminalidentifies a provider of a system to which it accesses based on the PLMNidentity PLMN_ID.

FIG. 11 shows a method for interfacing a hybrid type synchronousterminal with a core network in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11A is a flowchart illustrating a procedure where a hybrid typesynchronous radio network including a base transceiver station (BTS) anda base station controller (BSC) determines the operating type of thecore network and sends information about the core network, for example,core network operating type information and information related to corenetwork, to the hybrid type synchronous terminal.

First, the BSC in the hybrid type synchronous radio network detects acore network operating type information of a core network connectedthereto at step S11.

Noticeably, the BSC detects the core network operating type informationof the connected core network on the basis of information from a readonly memory (ROM) or information from a dip switch which may be manuallyoperated by an operator, upon system initialization. Alternatively, theBSC may detect the operating type of the connected core network throughthe exchange of a management/maintenance message with the connected corenetwork.

Further, the BSC may detect the operating type of the connected corenetwork by conducting the above two methods simultaneously or a simplemodification of them.

Thereafter, the BSC determines at step S12 whether the connected corenetwork is a synchronous ANSI-41 core network. If the connected corenetwork is the synchronous ANSI-41 core network, the BSC sets corenetwork operating type information CN Type corresponding to the detectedcore network operating type at step S15.

In the case where it is determined at the above step S12 that theconnected core network is not the synchronous ANSI-41 core network, theBSC determines at step S13 whether the connected core network is anasynchronous GSM-MAP core network. If the connected core network is theasynchronous GSM-MAP core network, the BSC activates an asynchronous CCpart and an asynchronous MM part for a direct spreading (DS) method atstep S14 and then sets the CN Type information corresponding to thedetected core network operating type at step S15.

Herein, the CN Type information is set to “1” when the connected corenetwork is the synchronous ANSI-41 core network, and “0” when theconnected core network is the asynchronous GSM-MAP core network.

Subsequently, the BSC inserts the set core network operating typeinformation and the information related to core network respectivelyinto specific fields of a Sync channel message at step S16.

Herein, the Sync channel message has formats as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 9A is a view showing a format of the Sync channel message when thecore network connected to the hybrid type synchronous radio network isthe GSM-MAP network. As shown in this drawing, the core networkoperating type information CN Type of “0” or “1” is written in a firstfield of the Sync channel message and information elements related tothe GSM-MAP network, PLMN identity information PLMN_ID, CN domainidentity information and NAS system information are sequentially writtenin the subsequent fields of the message. As described above, the sameinformation elements as those in the conventional Sync channel messageshown in FIG. 7A are sequentially written from the next field of thepresent Sync channel message.

FIG. 9B is a view showing a format of the Sync channel message when thecore network connected to the hybrid type synchronous radio work is theANSI-41 network. As shown in this drawing, the core network operatingtype information CN Type of “0” or “1” is written in a first field ofthe Sync channel message and information elements related to the ANSI-41network, an 8 bits protocol revision level, an 8 bits minimum protocolrevision level, a 15 bits system identification and a 16 bits networkidentification, are sequentially written in the subsequent fields of themessage. The same information elements as those in the conventional Syncchannel message shown in FIG. 7A are sequentially written from the nextfield of the present Sync channel message.

Herein, the core network operating type information is used to indicatewhether the core network connected to the synchronous radio network isthe ANSI-41 network or the GSM-MAP network. For example, the corenetwork operating type information is set to “1” when the core networkconnected to the hybrid type synchronous radio network is the ANSI-41core network, and “0” when the connected core network is the GSM-MAPcore network.

Thereafter, the BSC in the hybrid type synchronous radio network sendsthe Sync channel message having the CN operating type information to thehybrid type synchronous terminal over a Sync channel at step S17.

Then, the BSC interfaces the hybrid type synchronous terminal with thecore network in a synchronous or asynchronous communication manneraccording to a set protocol at step S18.

On the other hand, upon receiving the above Sync channel message, thehybrid type synchronous terminal synchronizes its timing with that ofthe connected core network according to a flowchart of FIG. 1B.

That is, upon being powered on, the synchronous terminal selects a CDMAsystem on the basis of a CDMA channel number, a CDMA area list, an SIDlist, an NID list and other information stored in its memory and a CDMAsystem selection algorithm provided from a terminal manufacturer at stepS21.

Then, the hybrid type synchronous terminal acquires a pilot having thesame. CDMA channel number as that of the selected CDMA system at stepS22. In other words, after selecting the CDMA system, the hybrid typesynchronous terminal acquires a pilot having the same CDMA channelnumber as that of the selected CDMA system, or CDMA frequency number asthat corresponding to the selected CDMA system.

After acquiring the pilot, the hybrid type synchronous terminal proceedsto step S23 to perform a Sync channel acquisition operation and then tostep S24 to receive a Sync channel message over the acquired Syncchannel.

Subsequently, the hybrid type synchronous terminal analyzes core networkoperating type information CN Type among information elements in thereceived Sync channel message at step S25. Herein, the CN Typeinformation is set to “1” when the connected core network is thesynchronous ANSI-41 core network, and “0” when the connected corenetwork is the asynchronous GSM-MAP core network.

Accordingly, the hybrid type synchronous terminal determines at step 526whether the CN Type information value is “1” and proceeds to step S27 ifthe CN Type information value is “1”. At step S27, the synchronousterminal analyzes information elements related to the core network asthose for the ANSI-41 core network and stores desired ones of them inits memory. At this time, the stored information elements are systemidentification (SID), network identification (NID), a minimum protocolrevision level (MIN_P_REV) and a protocol revision level (P_REV).

Thereafter, at step S28, the hybrid type synchronous terminal selects asynchronous CC part and a synchronous MM part for the ANSI-41 networkand sets protocols according to the selected operating type.Subsequently, the hybrid type synchronous terminal synchronizes itstiming with that of a base transceiver station in the selected system atstep S29 and then performs a message interfacing operation with theANSI-41 core network at step S30.

On the other hand, in the case where it is determined at the above stepS26 that the CN Type information value is not “1”, the synchronousterminal determines at step S31 whether the CN Type information value is“0” and proceeds to step S32 if the CN Type information value is “0”. Atstep S32, the synchronous terminal analyzes the information elementsrelated to core network as those for the GSM-MAP core network and storesa desired one, a PLMN identity, of them in its memory.

Thereafter, at step S33, the hybrid type synchronous terminal selects anasynchronous CC part and an asynchronous MM part for the GSM-MAP networkand sets protocols according to the selected operating type.Subsequently, the hybrid type synchronous terminal synchronizes itstiming with that of a base transceiver station in the selected system atstep S34 and then performs a message interfacing operation with theGSM-MAP core network at step S35.

Embodiment 2

Architectures of telecommunication system for interfacing a hybrid typeasynchronous terminal with a core network are described above withreference to FIGS. 4C and 4D and the associated layered protocolstructures of the telecommunication system are described above withreference to FIGS. 5C and 5D.

As described above, the method or the apparatus for interfacing inaccordance with the present invention adaptively sets a protocol on thebasis of an operating type of the core network and smoothly interfacesamong the terminal, the base station and the core network. Preferredformats of messages communicated between the terminal and the basestation in order to perform setting and interfacing functions areillustrated in FIGS. 10A to and 10D.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show a format of a master information block in asystem information message received by a hybrid type asynchronousterminal when a core network connected to a universal mobiletelecommunication system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access. network(UTRAN) is an asynchronous GSM-MAP core network. FIGS. 10C and 10D showa format of a master information block in a system information messagereceived by a hybrid type asynchronous terminal when a core networkconnected to the UTRAN is a synchronous ANSI-41 core network.

If the core network operating type information is ANSI-41 informationrepresenting a synchronous core network, the information related to corenetwork includes a revision level (P_REV) representing a revision levelof a system protocol, a minimum revision level (M P_REV), a systemidentification (SID) and network identification (NID). If the corenetwork operating type information is GSM-MAP information representingan asynchronous core network, the information related to core networkincludes public land mobile network identity (PLMN_ID).

FIG. 12A is a flowchart illustrating a procedure where a hybrid typeradio network controller (RNC) in an asynchronous radio network, orUTRAN, determines the operating type of a core network connected theretoand sends the core network operating type information and informationrelated to the core network to a hybrid type asynchronous terminal.

First, the hybrid type RNC in the UTRAN detects an operating type of acore network connected thereto at step S41.

Noticeably, the hybrid type RNC detects the operating type of theconnected core network on the basis of information from a read onlymemory (ROM) or information from a dip switch which may be manuallyoperated by an operator, upon system initialization. Alternatively, thehybrid type RNC may detect the operating type of the connected corenetwork through the exchange of a management/maintenance message withthe connected core network.

Alternatively, the hybrid type RNC may detect the operating type of theconnected core network by conducting the above two methodssimultaneously or a simple modification of them.

Thereafter, the hybrid type RNC determines at step S42 whether theconnected core network is an asynchronous GSM-MAP core network.

If it is determined at the above step S42 that the connected corenetwork is the asynchronous GSM-MAP core network, the hybrid type RNCsets core network operating type information CN Type corresponding tothe detected operating type of the core network at step S45. Forexample, if the connected core network is the asynchronous GSM-MAP corenetwork, the RNC sets the core network operating type information as“GSM-MAP”.

Subsequently, the hybrid type RNC inserts the set CN Type informationand information related to core network respectively into specificfields of a system information message at step S46.

Herein, the CN Type information and information related to core networkare inserted into a master information block (MIB) in the systeminformation message. In FIGS. 10A and 10B, views showing a format of theMIB are shown. The MIB has the CN Type information and the informationrelated to core network in accordance with the present invention.

In FIGS. 10A and 10B, other fields except for CN information elementsare the same as those in the conventional system information messageshown in FIG. 7B and a detailed description thereof will thus beomitted. The core network operating information and the informationrelated to core network are written in the CN information element field.Because it is determined at the above step S42 that the connected corenetwork is the asynchronous GSM-MAP core network, “GSM-MAP” is writtenin the CN Type information field and a PLMN identity is written in thecore network related information field.

Thereafter, the RNC sends the system information message having a masterinformation block (MIB) to the hybrid type asynchronous terminal over aBCCH at step S47 and then performs a message interfacing operationbetween the hybrid type asynchronous terminal and the core network atstep S48.

On the other hand, in the case where it is determined at the above stepS42 that the connected core network is not the asynchronous GSM-MAP corenetwork, the RNC determines at step S43 whether the connected corenetwork is a synchronous ANSI-41 core network. If the connected corenetwork is the synchronous ANSI-41 core network, the RNC activates asynchronous. CC part and a synchronous MM part for MC at step S44 andthen sets the core network operating type information CN Typecorresponding to the detected core network operating type at step S45.For example, if the connected core network is the synchronous ANSI-41core network, the RNC sets the CN Type information as “ANSI-41”

Subsequently, the RNC inserts the set CN Type information and theinformation related to core network respectively into specific fields ofa system information message at step S46.

Herein, the CN Type information and the information related to corenetwork are inserted into the MIB in the system information message.FIGS. 10C and 10D are views showing a format of the MIB in which the CNType information and information related to core network are written inaccordance with the present invention.

In FIGS. 10C and 10D, other fields except for fields containing CNinformation elements are the same as those in the conventional systeminformation message shown in FIG. 7B and a detailed description thereofwill thus be omitted. The CN Type information and information related tocore network are written in the CN information element fields. Becauseit is determined at the above step S43 that the connected core networkis the synchronous ANSI-41 core network, “ANSI-41” is written in the CNType information field and ANSI-41 information elements are written inthe information related to core network field. Herein, the ANSI-41information elements are P_REV, MIN_P_REV, SID and NID information.

Thereafter, the RNC sends the system information message having the MIBto the asynchronous terminal over the BCCH at step S47 and then performsa message interfacing operation between the hybrid type asynchronousterminal and the core network at step S48.

On the other hand, upon receiving the above system information messageover the BCCH, the hybrid type asynchronous terminal sets its protocolthrough a procedure of FIG. 12B to perform an interfacing operation withthe core network.

Namely, upon being powered on, the hybrid type asynchronous terminalselects a PLMN where it is located, on the basis of a PLMN list storedin its memory at step S51. Then, the hybrid type asynchronous terminalselects a cell in the selected PLMN with which it can efficientlycommunicate, at step S52, and receives a system information message asshown in FIGS. 10A and 10B or 10C and 10D over a BCCH at step S53.

At step S54, the hybrid type asynchronous terminal extracts the masterinformation block (MIB) from the received system information message andanalyzes CN Type information in the extracted MIB.

The hybrid type asynchronous terminal determines at step S55 whether theCN Type information is “GSM-MAP” and proceeds to step S56 if the CN Typeinformation is “GSM-MAP”. At step S56, the hybrid type asynchronousterminal analyzes the information elements related to core network asthose for the GSM-MAP core network and stores a desired one, a PLMNidentity, of them in its memory.

Thereafter, at step S57, the asynchronous terminal selects anasynchronous CC part and an asynchronous MM part for the GSM-MAP networkand sets a protocol therebetween. Subsequently, the hybrid typeasynchronous terminal carries out its initialization based on thecontents of the information elements related to core network at step S58and then performs a message interfacing operation with the GSM-MAP corenetwork at step S59.

On the other hand, in the case where it is determined at the above stepS55 that the CN Type information is not “GSM-MAP”, the hybrid typeasynchronous terminal determines at step S60 whether the CN Typeinformation is “ANSI-41” and proceeds to step S61 if the CN Typeinformation is “ANSI-41”.

At step S61, the hybrid type asynchronous terminal analyzes theinformation elements related to the core network as those for theANSI-41 core network and stores desired ones of them in its memory. Thestored information elements are SID, NID, MIN_P_REV and P_REVinformation.

Thereafter, at step S62, the hybrid type asynchronous terminal selects asynchronous CC part and a synchronous MM part for the ANSI-41 networkand sets a protocol therebetween. Subsequently, the hybrid typeasynchronous terminal carries out its initialization based on thecontents of the core network related information elements at step S63and then performs a message interfacing operation with the ANSI-41 corenetwork at step S64.

As apparent from the above description, according to the presentinvention, even though a hybrid type synchronous or asynchronousterminal is connected to either a GSM-MAP core network or an ANSI-41core network, it can smoothly be interfaced with the connected corenetwork because it is able to recognize the operating type of theconnected core network and information related to the core network.

Further, new information elements (CN Type information and informationrelated to core network) are simply added to a Sync channel message usedin an existing synchronous radio network, in other words, changes ormodifications of existing information elements in the Sync channelmessage are minimized. Therefore, the hybrid type synchronous radionetwork can readily notify a hybrid type synchronous terminal of theoperating type of a connected core network, and a synchronous systemsubscriber can be provided with a service from an asynchronous GSM-MAPcore network.

Moreover, new information elements, i.e., CN Type information andinformation related to core network, are added to a system informationmessage used in an asynchronous system having an existing asynchronousradio network, without modifying existing information elements in thesystem information message. Therefore, the hybrid type asynchronousradio network can readily notify a hybrid type asynchronous terminal ofthe operating type of a connected core network, and an asynchronoussystem subscriber can be provided with a service from a synchronousANSI-41 core network.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendisclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art willappreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions arepossible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventionas disclosed in the accompanying claims.

1. A mobile communication system, comprising: a radio network fortransmitting information representing a core network operating type; anda user equipment including an access stratum (AS) and a non-accessstratum (NAS), the NAS including a mobility management (MM) protocol anda call control (CC) protocol, wherein the user equipment receives theinformation representing the core network operating type from the radionetwork and operates the MM protocol and the CC protocol in a modeindicated by the information representing the core network operatingtype.
 2. The mobile communication system of claim 1, wherein theinformation representing the core network operating type is transmittedover a broadcast control channel (BCCH).
 3. The mobile communicationsystem of claim 2, wherein the information representing the core networkoperating type is transmitted in a system information message.
 4. Themobile communication system of claim 1, wherein the mode indicated bythe information representing the core network operating type is aGSM-MAP mode or an ANSI-41 mode.
 5. The mobile communication system ofclaim 2, wherein the system information message comprises informationrepresenting a PLMN identity.
 6. The mobile communication system ofclaim 5, wherein the information representing the PLMN identitycomprises a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code (MNC).7. A method for interfacing in a mobile communication system,comprising: transmitting from a radio network information representing acore network operating type; receiving at a user equipment theinformation representing the core network operating type; and operatinga mobility management (MM) protocol and a call control (CC) protocol ina non-access stratum (NAS) in a mode indicated by the informationrepresenting the core network operating type.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein the step of transmitting further comprises: transmittinginformation representing the core network operating type over abroadcast control channel (BCCH).
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein theinformation representing the core network operating type is transmittedin a system information message.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein themode indicated by the information representing the core networkoperating type is a GSM-MAP mode or an ANSI-41 mode.
 11. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the system information message comprises informationrepresenting a PLMN identity.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein theinformation representing the PLMN identity comprises a mobile countrycode (MCC) and a mobile network code (MNC).
 13. A user equipment,comprising: an access stratum (AS); and a non-access stratum (NAS)including a mobility management (MM) protocol and a call control (CC)protocol, wherein the MM protocol and the CC protocol operate in a modeindicated by information representing a core network operating typetransmitted from a radio network.
 14. The user equipment of claim 13,wherein the information representing the core network operating type istransmitted over a broadcast control channel (BCCH) from the radionetwork.
 15. The user equipment of claim 14, wherein the informationrepresenting the core network operating type is transmitted in a systeminformation message.
 16. The user equipment of claim 13, wherein themode indicated by the information representing the core networkoperating type is a GSM-MAP mode or an ANSI-41 mode.
 17. The userequipment of claim 15, wherein the system information message comprisesinformation representing a PLMN identity.
 18. The user equipment ofclaim 17, wherein the information representing the PLMN identitycomprises a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code (MNC).19. A method for interfacing in a mobile communication system,comprising: receiving information representing a core network operatingtype from a radio network; and operating a mobility management (MM)protocol and a call control (CC) protocol in a non-access stratum (NAS)in a mode indicated by the information representing the core networkoperating type.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:transmitting the information representing the core network operatingtype over a broadcast control channel (BCCH) from the radio network. 21.The method of claim 20, wherein the information representing the corenetwork operating type is transmitted in a system information message.22. The method of claim 19, wherein the mode indicated by theinformation representing the core network operating type is a GSM-MAPmode or an ANSI-41 mode.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein the systeminformation message comprises information representing a PLMN identity.24. The method of claim 23, wherein the information representing thePLMN identity comprises a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile networkcode (MNC).
 25. A method for interfacing in a mobile communicationsystem, comprising: transmitting to a user equipment a systeminformation message comprising information representing a core networkoperating type and information representing a PLMN identity.
 26. Themethod of claim 25, wherein the step of transmitting further comprises:transmitting the system information message over a broadcast controlchannel (BCCH).
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the information PLMNidentity comprises a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code(MNC).
 28. A mobile communication system, comprising: a radio networkfor transmitting to a user equipment a system information messagecomprising information representing a core network operating type andinformation representing a PLMN identity.
 29. The system of claim 28,wherein the system information message is transmitted over a broadcastcontrol channel (BCCH).
 30. The system of claim 29, wherein theinformation PLMN identity comprises a mobile country code (MCC) and amobile network code (MNC).